Chapter 65
* * *
Yuurai and the others left Rugimano on the same day their interaction with Rubert concluded and headed toward Grimoire.
Riding Skeleton horses, the journey would have taken two days, but by using a ten-meter-class Fiend as a means of transportation, they arrived in about three hours.
Although it was a misuse of the Fiend, it was good that they could return so quickly.
The companions seemed to have a distant look in their eyes, but Yuurai chose to ignore it.
By the way, Deena, as well as Fia and Gilka's subordinates, were also brought back with them.
Upon arriving at Grimoire, the Fiend that Yuurai had left behind had been defeated, but otherwise, there was nothing particularly different. The desolate, empty townscape evoked a complex mix of relief and a touch of loneliness in Yuurai.
Once they returned to the Lord's Castle, Yuurai gave Ceres a light tap on the head.
"Hey, I get that you're not exactly one of us, but don't just let Ragvela and the others get kidnapped so easily. You get meals made for you every day, don't you feel any sense of gratitude?"
Yuurai said with exasperation, to which Ceres responded.
"If they had intended to harm them, I would have protected them. But since they said they had no intention of hurting or killing them, I didn't intervene."
"......If that's the case, make sure you really protect them when things get dangerous. Abandoning someone you owe something to? That's pretty questionable as a person."
"Being lectured on human morality by a Monster, huh. You're less and less like a Demon King. But...... I have things I won't compromise on too. I'll protect what needs protecting."
Ceres isn't a comrade. Even so, Yuurai feels that Ceres must have her own sense of justice, and protecting Ragvela and Jeevy should be part of that justice. Yuurai senses that Ceres is surprisingly decent.
The next morning.
"Demon King-sama. A reply from the Cult Leader-sama has arrived."
Fia said so before breakfast.
Yuurai called Gilka, who was outside, into the dining hall and listened to the message from the Cult Leader while having breakfast. By the way, those present in the dining hall were Yuurai, Claire, Lipia, Gilka, Ceres, Ragvela, Jeevy, and Fia.
To summarize the message from the Cult Leader:
Apologies for the trouble caused by Fia.
Fia will no longer act against the Demon King-sama's will.
Please keep Fia by the Demon King-sama's side for a while. Correct her flaws. If she becomes unmanageable, feel free to kill her.
If the Demon King-sama does not desire to dominate the world through violence, the Cult will respect that will.
The Cult stands with the Demon King-sama and is ready to lend strength whenever needed.
Gathering information and other tasks are also possible. Additionally, cult members hidden in various regions can make favorable remarks about the Demon King-sama, subtly influencing public opinion.
I would like to meet and talk in person once, but as I am currently staying far away, that will have to wait for another opportunity.
"......Quite a shady character, huh. They're showing a cooperative attitude toward me, but I have no idea what they're really thinking. They're definitely scheming something behind the scenes."
Hearing the message from the Cult Leader Elquid, Yuurai thought so frankly.
However, Fia said with a bright smile.
"While nowhere near as great as Demon King-sama, Cult Leader-sama is also a wonderful person. I believe they will surely become a valuable ally for Demon King-sama."
"......Coming from you, that doesn't mean much. What do you think, Claire and the others? Can this person be trusted?"
"Not at all trustworthy."
"I think the same. They're not someone we should trust."
"......I also think they're shady."
Claire, Gilka, and Lipia also judged the Cult Leader to be a suspicious figure.
"Yeah, right......"
Yuurai could only think that they were putting on a friendly demeanor to lower their guard.
"Fia. Tell the Cult Leader this: I have no intention of borrowing the power of the Demon King Cult, nor do I plan to get involved with them as much as possible. And if they do anything unnecessary, the Demon King Cult will be the first to be destroyed."
"Understood. I will convey that. ......However, if you ever change your mind even slightly, please give any order to me first. For the sake of Demon King-sama, I will take on any task. Be it assassination or massacre!"
"No, I have no intention of making you do such tasks at all. Get it through your head already that I intend to coexist with humans."
"......If Demon King-sama says so, I will obey. However, the day will come when Demon King-sama understands the ugliness of humans. When that time comes, I will assist in eradicating humanity."
Fia, declaring the eradication of humanity, still wore a pleasant smile. Yuurai felt that smile was unsettling and far too dangerous. However, since her thoughts were easy to read, she seemed less suspicious than the Cult Leader.
(......If I make sure she can't use magic, she shouldn't be that dangerous of a presence. I'll keep an eye on her for a while......)
After that, peaceful days continued for a while.
Fia didn't cause any major issues and spent her days quietly. However, since Fia kept trying to get close to Yuurai or sleep in the same room, she was treated coldly by Claire and Lipia.
Yuurai felt a bit uneasy, wondering if this might lead to something serious someday.
Deena, the Dwarf, still hadn't gotten used to Yuurai, but she had grown close to the three girls of the Eyeless Tribe. They often chatted lively, and she shared a room with Ragvela and Jeevy.
Yuurai didn't quite understand why Deena was chosen as a monitor. She seemed like a timid, kind-hearted girl, not someone capable of carrying out assassinations. She wasn't skilled at gathering information either, and she avoided contact with Yuurai as much as possible.
Since she didn't seem dangerous, Yuurai decided to leave Deena be.
In this way, ten days passed.
The cold had intensified, but surprisingly, there were no blizzards. It seemed this region wasn't prone to heavy snowfall.
The temperature apparently dropped to around minus twenty degrees, but since Grimoire was well-equipped with Magical Tools for warmth, the cold outside wasn't much of a problem. However, it wasn't the kind of atmosphere for going out to do cleaning activities, so Gilka's subordinates spent more time indoors.
Yusef and Rugimano also seemed to have regained their former calm.
Various dissatisfactions simmered, but since people could lead decent lives, the citizens swallowed their complaints.
The Adventurer Guild and the Royal House of Rivalt were also in a wait-and-see stance regarding Yuurai for the time being. If Yuurai didn't cause any trouble, a path to coexistence might be possible.
By the way, Aquell, who had been holed up for a long time, finally started showing his face outside little by little. However, it seemed he still didn't acknowledge Yuurai as a comrade, always keeping his three party members by his side.
Yuurai had no issue with that and felt he could do as he pleased.
Days without incidents might be a bit boring.
But that's fine, Yuurai thought.
No strange troubles needed to arise. She didn't want to be in a situation where she had to kill someone.
That was her wish, at least.
However, the peace didn't last long.